YOUNG Africans have officially commenced their training sessions for the upcoming 2024/2025 season. The initial phase of training began with light exercises and fitness routines on the scenic beaches of Coco Beach in Dar es Salaam, under the leadership of head coach Miguel Gamondi.

Despite the team’s robust roster, a few players, including Aziz Ki, are yet to join the training camp. Recently, the club announced a one-year contract extension for Aziz Ki, ensuring his continued presence at Young Africans.

Reflecting on the return to training, Gamondi expressed his gratitude and optimism for the upcoming season. 

“We are back now to start preparing for the new season. We thank God for that. We are still not at full strength as some players have arrived late, but they will join the team very soon to complete our squad,” Gamondi stated.

Young Africans concluded the previous season with significant achievements. They secured their third consecutive Premier League title, marking the 30th in the club’s illustrious history. Additionally, they triumphed in the Federation Cup, clinching victory in a tense penalty shootout against Azam FC, which ended 6-5 after a goalless draw in regular time.

On the continental stage, Young Africans demonstrated their strength by reaching the quarterfinals of the CAF Champions League. Despite a commendable effort, they were narrowly defeated by South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, falling 3-2 in a penalty shootout after two goalless legs.

“Last season was good for us, but the past is over now. We have to focus on what lies ahead and prepare for the next season to do even better because we have a lot of work to do in the future,” Gamondi emphasized.

Addressing the club’s new signings, Gamondi expressed his satisfaction with the additions to the squad. 

“I am happy that Dube has joined Young Africans, along with other players like Clatous Chama. We have made smart signings to bring quality players, not just quantity. Prince Dube is a very good striker who I believe will add a lot to this team. He needs time because he hasn’t played for six months. People should not expect him to score immediately; they need to give him time to adapt,” he explained.

Gamondi also discussed his approach to organizing the squad amidst the influx of high-profile players. He noted that the team’s composition would be tailored to the specific opponents they face. 

“As a coach, I will not have a difficult time deciding which players to start, especially now that we have many good players like Mudathir Yahya, Max Nzengeli, Clatous Chama, Pacome Zouzoua, and Aziz Ki. It depends on the opponent and the players’ form. 

“We don’t need to play based on a player’s name but on their performance. Sometimes, we may need two offensive midfielders or three attacking midfielders. Last season, we played over 50 matches, so each player will get their chance to play when needed,” Gamondi elaborated.

Young Africans will face Kaizer Chiefs in the inaugural Toyota Cup, a friendly match scheduled for Sunday, July 28, 2024, at 4:00 PM East African Time. 

Additionally, the team is set to compete against arch-rivals Simba SC in one of the semi-final matches of the Community Shield tournament. The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has confirmed that the 2024 Community Shield tournament will take place from Thursday, August 8, 2024, to Sunday, August 11, at a venue yet to be announced.